Parasite
Dracunculus medinensis
Guinea worm from copepod-contaminated water
druh-KUNK-yoo-lus meh-dih-NEN-sis
High-yield clue
Drinking water with copepods (Cyclops) leads a meter-long female worm to emerge through a painful skin blister on the lower leg.
Overview
The guinea worm, a tissue nematode acquired by drinking water containing infected copepods, famous as a near-eradicated disease and for its dramatic skin emergence.
Classification
- Nematode (roundworm)
- Waterborne via copepod intermediate host
- Very long adult female worm
- No mosquito/fly vector
Lab & identification clues
- Adult worm visible emerging from a skin blister
- Larvae released when the lesion contacts water
- Clinical recognition, not stool eggs
Associations
- Ingestion of copepod-contaminated drinking water
- Painful lower-limb blister and ulcer vocabulary
- Slow worm extraction over weeks
- Global eradication public-health framing
Commonly confused with
- Wuchereria bancrofti
- Onchocerca volvulus
Frequently asked questions
What is Dracunculus medinensis?
The guinea worm, a tissue nematode acquired by drinking water containing infected copepods, famous as a near-eradicated disease and for its dramatic skin emergence.
What are the lab clues for Dracunculus medinensis?
Lab clues for Dracunculus medinensis include Adult worm visible emerging from a skin blister; Larvae released when the lesion contacts water; Clinical recognition, not stool eggs.
What is Dracunculus medinensis commonly confused with?
Dracunculus medinensis is commonly confused with Wuchereria bancrofti and Onchocerca volvulus.
Original student-study summary. Sources checked: OpenStax Microbiology 2e, NCBI Bookshelf Medical Microbiology, and CDC topic pages where applicable; reviewed 2026-06. Educational only; no diagnosis, treatment, dosing, or specimen-handling guidance.